The Crown — Restaurant in South Oxfordshire

I recently had the pleasure of visiting The Crown pub in Reading, and I must say, it was a truly wonderful experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I was enveloped by a warm and positive atmosphere that instantly put me at ease.

One of the most captivating aspects of The Crown is its rich history and stunning 16th-century architecture. The carefully preserved beams, classic design elements, and rustic charm transport you back in time, creating an enchanting ambiance that is simply delightful. It's evident that the pub takes great pride in maintaining its historical significance, which adds an extra layer of charm to the entire experience.

The Crown boasts an extensive beer garden that is an absolute gem. Stepping outside, I was greeted by a picturesque setting with lush greenery, beautiful flowers, and ample seating. The beer garden provides a serene and tranquil escape, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing drink or savor a delicious meal while basking in the sunshine. It truly is a hidden oasis just outside of Reading city centre.

The service at The Crown is nothing short of exceptional. The staff members are attentive, friendly, and always eager to ensure your visit is nothing less than perfect. They go above and beyond to cater to your needs, making you feel like a valued guest. Whether you need recommendations on the extensive selection of beverages or have any questions about the menu, the attentive service is always delivered with a smile.

In conclusion, The Crown pub in Reading is a true gem. The positive atmosphere, complemented by the mesmerizing 16th-century architecture, creates a memorable experience that is both inviting and captivating. The extensive beer garden offers a tranquil retreat, and the amazing service provided by the attentive staff truly sets it apart. I highly recommend paying a visit to The Crown for an unforgettable and...

Disappointing - Do not judge this place on past visits. We visited The Crown when it was part of Tailor Made Dining, it has changed hands now (although many of the signs and decor remain). This venue has deteriorated.

While some of our courses were very good (the pork chop, and the fries were lovely) the table bread wasn't as advertised, it was cheesey not mentioned on the menu, the garlic was under roasted so was rock hard and one bulb was green and mouldy on the inside, the butter was supposed to be smoked and salted it was neither.

The steak my partner had was over done and incredibly chewy.

The desert my partner had was nice, but the hot chocolate I chose to have instead of a desert never arrived.

So the food was inconsistent, but it's not just food that needs improvement. The service was poor. We had 2 or three people serve us often with long waits between, suggesting they didn't have a plan. The lady that served us was very friendly despite mention my hot chocolate was on it's way twice but not bringing it, the gentleman server was rude and dismissive when we mentioned the steak and asked for the non existent hot chocolate to be removed, we hadn't shown any dissatisfaction until the plates for the mains were removed, he was objectional.

Points to note, we were never asked how our food was, we had booked in advance, it wasn't especially busy, in fact when we arrived it was very quiet.

You may be ok, the table next to us had a lovely evening, but you're probably better off going somewhere else. I know we'll be heading off to Nettlebed to go to the former sister restaurant still...

This would have been a 1 star review had it not been for the Deputy Manager's honest discussion with us and his apology at the end of our meal. My family and I booked to have Xmas dinner at the Crown. The place was heaving and there too few staff to cope with the numbers of people. Long ques at the bar and a long wait for our table on arrival, which we had booked and paid for well in advance. The service was poor, as a result of what little staff there were; the food and drinks took an age to arrive (drinks were often the wrong order and had to be exchanged with other tables). There was little service at the table, and it seemed that whatever table complained about the waiting times got their plates and drinks next. Staff were getting pressured and I think the complaints from (most of the) tables were getting to them, which only compounded the poor service more. The food however, was actually good when it turned up though, in fairness to the Crown. Overall, I was disappointed with our visit, but I felt sorry for the team, they were getting the raw end from all their customers on Xmas day, and I imagine tips were non-existent as most tables were suffering from this poor service. It could have been avoided by better planning from the Management Team. Allow longer time for families to sit on Xmas day to eat their meals to avoid double booking the tables and get more staff in to deal...